Bicycle News Report....Past Success and Future Involvement!

Out and About by Bike....The new(er) Under the Rose.

Given that my weekly bike commuting is limited by a new job (that's not nearly as convenient to get to), I'm trying to make some sight specific trips in the evenings and on the weekends.  Last weekend it was out to the "newer to me" location for Under the Rose Brewing after a bit of music down at the Rolling on the River concert series.   We enjoyed a few beers and would have tried some food but the kitchen closed at 10pm (just as we arrived).  Reno isn't quite the 24 hour town it used to be!

The beers were great and the place was definitely doing business.   It's significantly upscale compared to their humble beginnings on 4th Street back in 2013.  If you haven't been, definitely stop in and check out the new(er) digs. 

Only down side is there is zero bicycle parking (Ha....I guess Midtown does have a parking problem)!  They are however totally cool with letting you wheel your bike right in!

20 is Plenty!

Click for the Article....

There's an article this morning on BikePortland.org about this 20 is Plenty trick.  Not a new movement....but perhaps the next step for some streets in Midtown (ehem...Virginia St.).  It makes a lot of sense if the City of Reno really is interested in creating a good walking / shopping district in Midtown.

Bikeyface Cartoon....Directly what we are dealing with in Midtown!

I don't even have to add a comment....

**Check out all the Bikeyface comics by clicking below***

Ok, I do.  This is exactly what my day was like yesterday, for the photo op on Keystone.  Including Joe Harrington (the public relation officer for RTC) biking without his front brake hooked up and with his quick release skewer open!  It's like Bikeyface comics is channeling Reno!

Midtown Redesign....from my perspective.

There has been a lot of discussion about a big project that is coming to Midtown in the next couple years.  The long and short of it is that they are going to rip out all of Virginia Street and the sidewalks and get a chance at a total redo.  There is contention about what should take priority.

One side of the coin is to stay auto-centric.  Cars would be the focus, with travel lanes and parking getting the majority of the space with only ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) minimum requirements for sidewalks (e.g. narrow sidewalks).  So, pretty much what it is today with just slightly wider sidewalks.

The other side of the coin is more in tune with making Midtown into a pedestrian friendly environment where people want to come hang out and shop.  While it does require giving up a limited (small) number of on street parking spots, it gives back with 10 foot plus wide sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and room for benches, trees, and dining / display space for merchants.  Traffic lanes would be narrowed and speeds reduced to help facilitate pedestrian and bicycle movement.

Some people / businesses (who I will not point out) have argued that the auto-centric design is the only way to go.  They continually rally on the necessity of on street parking and how removal of a single spot will be the end of them (either business wise or as a customer trying to use midtown).

In light of this....I decided to spend Saturday night (a busy time?) in Midtown, in the way I use it and see what I found.  Here is the short version of the story....

We visited Craft, Public House, Junkee, and Brasserie St. James.

My focus...beer with friends (and Junkee is just always fun).

So many options!

While rolling around Midtown between 8-10pm this is what I observed with respect to parking.  And for the record...I was biking, two folks were walking, and one buddy was driving from place to place.

Completely underutilized street parking, no bike infrastructure....and does that even qualify as a sidewalk!?

More unused parking.....less than a block from Brasserie St. James.  A location often sited as a parking problem area!?  Double bonus for catching a Hummer just blowing through Midtown at like 50 mph right next to a billboard that says "Too many pedestrians die on our roads"!?

We had a great time.  Everyone got around just fine.  The consensus was that walking works...but the sidewalks suck and you often have to step into the street.  Biking also works but you better be willing to throw your lot in with traffic and force some respect....because it isn't freely given.  Driving works just fine.  Parking wasn't a problem.

So there's one night in Midtown.  

I'll try to do a mid-day for comparison at some point soon.

Help shape the future of Virginia St. (Midtown to UNR).

**From RTCWashoe.com**

COMMUNITY INVITED TO PROVIDE COMMENTS AND IDEAS ON VIRGINIA STREET’S FUTURE

The RTC is inviting the community to provide comments and ideas on the future of Virginia Street as part of the Virginia Street Bus RAPID Transit Extension Project.  Two meetings will be held for the public to review preliminary designs for Virginia Street.  The designs feature proposed improvements for Virginia Street from Maple Street to 15th Street near the University of Nevada, Reno and from Liberty Street to Plumb Lane in Midtown.

The proposed enhancements include: wider sidewalks, new bike lanes and extending RAPID bus service north to UNR with new transit stations and intersection improvements.  The project is also intended to better connect the University to Downtown Reno and Downtown to points south including Midtown.  The extension of RTC RAPID would eliminate the need for a transfer at RTC 4TH STREET STATION to UNR, saving travelers’ valuable time.  The project will also support economic growth and redevelopment along Virginia Street and throughout the region.  Additionally, it will help create a safer community that is accessible to everyone under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

While the same information will be presented at both meetings, the public is welcome to attend one or both events.  Free parking is available at both meetings.

For more information on this project, go to http://rtcwashoe.com and click on Streets and Highways, then Road Projects.

Community Information Meeting One (served by RTC RAPID)
Tuesday, April 14
5 to 7 p.m. with a brief presentation at 5:30 p.m.
The Discovery Museum
490 South Center Street
Reno, NV 89501

Community Information Meeting Two (served by RTC SIERRA SPIRIT and RTC RIDE route 7)
Wednesday, April 15
5 to 7 p.m. with a brief presentation at 5:30 p.m.
University of Nevada, Reno, Raggio Building, room 4001
1664 North Virginia Street
Reno, NV 89503